The 2021 AAHA Working, Assistance, and Therapy Dog Guidelines are the first comprehensive consensus report to guide veterinary teams who care for:
- Protection dogs (police, military, security)
- Odor/scent detection dogs
- Service dogs for people with diagnosed disabilities or physical limitations
- Emotional support dogs
- Therapy dogs
Source: AAHA NEWStat, November 1, 2021. Link. The terminology related to working dogs and how they are classified sometimes overlaps and can be confusing. The practice team needs to “speak the language” of the working dog community to better understand and relate to these specialized patients, their handlers, and sponsoring organizations.